Transcriptomic Dissection of the AMF-Solanum melongena Interaction: Unveiling Molecular Secrets

Abstract

Fungus-based biofertilizers, in particular, have been shown to improve plant growth and health by providing essential nutrients and improving soil health. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) form mutualistic symbiotic relationships with plants, including those in the Solanaceae family. They colonize the root systems of plants and aid in enhancing nutrient absorption efficiency, particularly in phosphorus-deficient soils. The present study was carried out to study the interaction between Solanum melongena L. with Glomus macrocarpum and Funneliformis mosseae (formely known as Glomus mosseae) at transcript level. In this study a total of 365 transcripts were upregulated (>1.5x) folds in S. melongena in response to both the fungi, while 44 transcripts were upregulated only in response to G. macrocarpum and 28 transcripts were upregulated only in response to F. mosseae. Similarly, 49 transcripts were downregulated less than -1.5 folds in response to both the fungi while 78 were downregulated only in response to the G. macrocarpum and 36 were downregulated only in response to F. mosseae. KEGG pathway analysis of S. melongena treated with G. macrocarpum revealed carbon metabolism, cofactor biosynthesis and Endocytosis as the dominant metabolic pathway, while analysis of the F. mosseae treatment revealed Glycerophospholipid and Endocytosis metabolism as dominant metabolic pathways.